Chicken and Quinoa Soup with Lemon Recipe

Brighten your day with our invigorating Chicken and Quinoa Soup with Lemon, a light yet satisfying bowl of sunshine.

This refreshing soup combines tender chicken and protein-rich quinoa with a zesty lemon twist, creating a perfect balance of flavors that’s both comforting and energizing.

Packed with nutritious vegetables and finished with a sprinkle of fresh dill, this soup is a revitalizing meal that will lift your spirits and nourish your body.

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Chicken and Quinoa Soup with Lemon

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Keyword Chicken Breast, Quinoa

15 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 250kcal

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion diced
• 2 carrots diced
• 2 celery stalks diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup quinoa rinsed
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 cups baby spinach
• Juice of 2 lemons
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh dill for garnish optional

Instructions

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add garlic and cook for another minute.
• Add chicken pieces and cook until they start to brown, about 5 minutes.
• Pour in chicken broth, quinoa, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until quinoa is cooked and chicken is tender.
• Stir in spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
• Remove bay leaves. Add lemon juice and zest.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve hot, garnished with fresh dill if desired.

Notes

Nutritional Information (per serving)

• Calories: 250
• Protein: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 3g
• Fat: 8g
• Sodium: 400mg

Cooking Tips

• For a richer flavor, use bone-in chicken and remove the bones before serving.
• Add a parmesan rind while simmering for extra depth of flavor.

Equipment Needed

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• Cutting board and knife
• Zester or fine grater

Possible Substitutions

• Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker version.
• Substitute quinoa with rice or small pasta.
• For a vegetarian version, use chickpeas instead of chicken and vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.